quote: Originally Posted by House of David:
I explained my self well when I listed scripture verse and I DID interpret them. Read my comments again, if you still can not understand what I'm saying then the fault lies with you.
I have NEVER met a catholic that thought a priest was a god.
I have NEVER met a catholic who kneeled and worshiped a priest. I have NEVER met a catholic that felt they must use "God only titles" for a priest. I've been a catholic for 40 years, and I was NEVER TAUGHT what you are accusing us of. So, your assumption about us is wrong.
Hi David,
Let's take these suppositions backwards. First, worship of priest: When you give a man a spiritual title reserved for God -- you are elevating that man to the level of God, which was what Satan attempted to do for himself.
Dr. Ron Rhodes wrote in the article above:
In no sense is a priest or pastor a “spiritual father” to a Christian. Only God can cause a person to receive “spiritual birth” -- therefore, only God is worthy of the title of “Father” in a spiritual sense.
When you call a man "holy father" -- you are giving him another title reserved ONLY for God -- for only God is holy.
Once again, quoting Dr. Ron Rhodes from the article above:
In the case of the “holy father,” there is no doubt this is unbiblical. No man can take on the title of “holy” anything, because only God is holy. This title gives the pope a status that is never intended for any man on earth.
Finally, you tell me, "I explained my self well when I listed scripture verse and I DID interpret them. Read my comments again, if you still can not understand what I'm saying then the fault lies with you."
Listed below are all the comments you gave me in that post. This is nothing but a list of jabs -- not ONE single Scriptural interpretation or explanation among them.
David, my Friend, when I asked you to interpret and explain YOUR understanding of Scripture -- that meant taking the verse or passage and exegetically explaining what the original writer intended it to mean, i.e., what was the message God intended us to get from that writing. I do not see that anywhere in your comments and jabs:
^ in that verse did Jesus contradict himself by using the word father.
^ Jesus uses the word father again. The issue must not be with the word in and if itself, must have to do with ones heart and what meaning and intention they have when they used the word father.
Now, BG let's look at St. Stephen says:
^ was St. Stephen disobedient to Jesus' teaching? NO
Okay, now, BG, let's look at one of my favorite role models, St. Paul
Was St. Paul wrong? NO Was St. Paul being disobedient to Jesus' teaching? NO
Okay, now let's look at St. John.
So, BG, I have given you bible verses and my own personal commentary. This is why it's not a sin, or wrong to use the word father.
Lastly, calling a priest father is not mandatory, you can say pastor, mr, or by their first name.
David, have you EVER known a person, a lay person, who did not call the priest "father" or the Pope "holy father"? In all my 20 years in the Roman Catholic church -- I only saw, or heard of, one instance where this happened.
That incident happened when I was in Korea in 1956-57 and my new wife had sought the counsel of her local priest about whether we should be married since I was not officially a Roman Catholic. But, I had agreed to honor her obligation to raise the children in the Roman Catholic church.
The incident of a priest not being called "father" occurred one day when she encountered him while he was playing baseball -- and was wearing sweats. When she called him Father Joe, he pretended to look around -- and then told her, "Call me Joe. I am here incognito. No one knows who I am!" Of course, he was joking. But, that is the one and only time I have seen a priest do that or be called anything other than "father."
And, by the way, his answer to her when she asked if she should stay married to me, was, "Yes, you should. You are married now and he is a good father to the children. Leave it in God's hands."
So, David, my Friend -- I am still waiting to have a serious exegetical (exposition, explanation; especially : an explanation or interpretation of a Scripture text) dialogue with you on any part of the Bible -- any of the 66 books.
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill